Starlin Castro says there's room for Javier Baez

Though incumbent shortstop and prospect play same position, he believes Cubs will find place for prospective rookie at right time

March 04, 2014|By Mark Gonzales, Tribune reporter

MESA, Ariz. — As far as Starlin Castro is concerned, there will be room for him and top prospect Javier Baez in the same lineup even though currently they both play shortstop.

"Maybe,'' Castro said Tuesday morning when asked if Baez could be promoted this season. "If (Baez) makes the adjustments, it's going to be good for both of us if he's there."

While Castro reported that his right hamstring feels better, there's still work ahead for Baez, 21, despite an impressive start in spring training.

And Baez is getting plenty of help from Castro, 23, the Cubs' starting shortstop for his fifth season.

"We talk to him a lot," Castro said. "Some people don't have a good relationship because they're playing the same position. But not with me and him. That's what I tell him. Play hard, you'll be out there, no matter what.

"Where? I don't know where, but you'll be there because you have great talent and you play the right way.''

The possibility still exists that Baez could shift to second base, but the Cubs want to make sure Baez can improve his defense at shortstop before working him out more frequently at second.

Manager Rick Renteria acknowledges Baez's talents but reiterated the Cubs' preference to make sure their top prospect masters Triple-A Iowa before he's promoted.

"You don't want an individual to jump and then have to go back again," Renteria said. "You want him to come to stay."

In Renteria's estimation, there's no doubt about Baez's bat speed.

"He has the bat speed to catch up to any fastball that anybody throws," Renteria said.

His test will come later this spring when many veteran pitchers start to incorporate more breaking and off-speed pitches with better command.

"Do I think he'll be able ultimately to make an adjustment?" Renteria asked. "Yes. "Do I know that he can hit them now? No, I couldn't tell you that.''

Renteria said Castro, who has been guilty of lapses in the past, and Baez, who committed 44 errors at Class A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee, each are working to correct a defensive flaw.

"A lot of times, they don't finish (their throws) coming through a ball," said Renteria, a former shortstop. "And they'll catch a ball and stay flat-footed and throw flat-footed. A lot of the errors come from that position, and they both have strong arms so they depend on that and they like being able to show it.

"But fundamentally you still can get around baseballs correctly a little more and consistently follow (through) on your throw to make sure that what would be the 'routine play' is continually made. Both of them are working on (that) right now.''

Confidence hasn't been an issue for Baez, who is swinging the bat and fielding his position with authority.

"I'm just trying to play relaxed and not worry about what happens on the field," Baez said. "I'm just trying to play my game."